Energy Breakthrough 

Killester College Energy Breakthrough (KCEB) successfully competed in the Energy Breakthrough event at Maryborough over the weekend of 25th and 26th November.  The Energy Breakthrough requires the students to build and maintain a fully faired recumbent tricycle and then test their vehicles in a 24 hr trial to see how far they can travel by human power alone in 24 hours.  The students work in teams of 8 to keep the tricycle moving as quickly as they can to achieve their 'energy breakthrough'.  

KCEB entered three teams Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup in the All Female category comprising students from Yr 8 through to Yr 12.  After setting up camp in the heat of Thursday, the students had to survive some heavy rain and thunderstorms on Friday while they met the judges and completed their presentations,  design and construction interviews. After drying out some wet bedding due to the rain they hit the track for the Friday night practice without incident.

The trial started at 12pm Saturday and finished at 12pm Sunday and our students kept their trikes moving continuously for 24 hours to achieve some amazing results.  Through rain, sunshine and darkness, the teams worked tirelessly and kept their spirits up with dance parties and singing in the pits.  Although we had 5 punctures, 2 dropped chains, lots of bumping and damage to the vehicles, the teams finished the race in good form with no serious incidents or major accidents which is a credit to all the riders in the difficult and often wet track conditions.

The teams presentations were of a very high standard and the students were able to demonstrate to the judges how much work they have done all year and how much they have learnt about aerodynamics, nutrition, fitness and construction techniques.  Team Bubbles achieved the highest score in their category for their Display and Presentation and received an award!

Team Blossom had a goal of 400 laps and achieved this in the dying seconds of the race to complete 401 laps in total.  Only the second time our school has ever achieved 400 laps!  An amazing effort and a top 50 finish in the overall standing!

This year we had a strong group of Yr 12 students that came on camp after their exams had finished to compete in the race.  We wish them all the best for the future and thank them all for their superb leadership and support of KCEB and the younger students.

Many thanks to all the teachers that attended the camp and kept themselves going during the 24hr trial period, feeding students, ensuring they are safe and well, helping to get them ready for their next ride.  KCEB could not participate without the support of the School, Leadership and teachers that attend the camp.

Final results:

Blossom

49th overall, 3rd in Category.  401 laps in 24 hours for a total of 633.58 km

Buttercup

71st overall, 4th in Category.  320 laps in 24 hours for a total of 505.6 km

Bubbles

79th overall, 6th in Category.  297 laps in 24 hours for a total of 469.26 km

Please contact the school if you would like to support KCEB in our efforts to compete in 2024.  

We are always looking for community involvement, specialist skills, sponsorships and equipment support and to discuss opportunities with the Killester Community.

For further information about the Energy Breakthrough: https://www.eb.org.au/about/.